Hydrocarbons, C4, n-butene conc.

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Members of the C4 low 1,3-butadiene category are flammable gases at room temperature and therefore the requirement for data on acute oral and dermal toxicity is waived in accordance with REACH Annex XI. There are no specific studies on the streams in this category (CAS Numbers; 91052-98-1, 92045-23-3, 95465-89-7, 95465-90-0 and 95465-91-1) but data on the component substances (butane, isobutane and butene isomers) indicate that the acute inhalational toxicity of this category is low. The LC50 values for all substances are in excess of 10,000 ppm (22,948 mg/m3) and butane and isobutane are considered to be Generally Recognised as Safe and may be used in food products.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Value:

22 948 mg/m³ air

Additional information

The requirement for data on acute oral and dermal toxicity is waived in accordance with REACH Annex XI, as members of the C4 low butadiene category are flammable gases at room temperature.

The acute inhalational toxicity of streams in this category is expected to be low.

There are no specific studies on the streams in this category (CAS Numbers; 91052-98-1, 92045-23-3, 95465-89-7, 95465-90-0 and 95465-91-1) but data are available on the component substances. The acute inhalational toxicity of all these component substances is low. In all cases LC50 values exceed the dose levels which would warrant classification under DSD or CLP. Limited human data also support this conclusion. The category members have the potential to produce narcosis or cause asphyxia by reducing the available concentration of oxygen. Intentional inhalation (abuse) of high concentrations of butane can cause symptoms including euphoria, ataxia, nausea, convulsions, coma, respiratory depression, and even death.

Specific data are as follows:

Non-human information

Butane: LC50 values of 658,000 mg/m3in rats and 680,000 mg/m3 in mice were reported (Shugaev et al 1969). Toxicity included anaesthesia, CNS depression, cardiac sensitisation (all rapidly reversible if exposure ceases).

Isobutane: No toxic effects were noted below its lower flammability limit of 18000 ppm (42787 mg/m3). Aviado et al (1977) reported the 2 hour LC50 in mice to be 52% (approximately 520,400 ppm or 1237 mg/L), but the same authors tested a mixture of 3 hydrocarbons (isobutane, butane, and propane) and found the LC50 of the mixture comparable to isobutane alone at 57.42% (approximately 539,600 ppm). Both Aviado et al (1977) and Clark and Tinston (1982) demonstrated the range of concentrations required to cause CNS depression/ anaesthesia and those concentrations causing mortality is narrow. There was also evidence of cardiotoxicity including cardiac sensitisation, decreases in both pulmonary compliance and tidal volume but again at dose levels far exceeding the lower flammability limit.

Butene isomers (butenes): An LC50 in excess of 10,000 ppm (22,948 mg/m3) has been reported for 2-butene in rats (TNO 1992a). No clinical signs were seen and normal growth occurred over the 14 day observation period. No abnormalities were observed at gross necropsy. These results are also supported by data from Virtue (1950). 1-Butene, cis and trans 2-butene and 2-methylpropene at 27.2, 25.5, 21 and 32% (approximately 623,000; 580,000, 480,000 and 734,000mg/m3) respectively produced respiratory arrest in mice after exposure for 10 min. No clinical observations were seen, other than narcosis, during or after exposure.

Human information

Butane and isobutane: Are considered by the US Food and Drug Administration to be Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) when used as propellants, aerating agents and gases and can be used in food products (PHPV 2001). In a controlled exposure study, Stewart et al (1977, 1978) exposed adult volunteers to isobutane and isobutane/propane mixtures at concentrations of 250-1000 ppm (594 -2377 mg/m3) for 1 min to 8 hours. No subjective or physiological responses were reported. Fatality data are reported for butane where inhalation occurs as a result of intentional misuse. Butane gas may be inhaled during intentional misuse. The acute effects of human solvent abuse include euphoria, disinhibition, hallucinations, ataxia, nausea, convulsions, coma, tinnitus, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory depression, and even death. Death may ensue by direct cardiac toxicity (arrhythmias) or central nervous system toxicity (respiratory depression) or indirectly by hypoxia (bag over head), aspiration of vomit or trauma. The Netherlands Health Council (2004) also summarise several individual cases or retrospective studies in which butane was identified as the fatally toxic agent.

Butene isomers (butenes): There are no acute toxicity data in humans.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Members of the C4 low 1,3-butadiene category are flammable gases at room temperature and therefore inhalation exposure is the only relevant route.There are sufficient data available on component substances to conclude that streams within the C4 low 1,3-butadiene category are of low acute toxicity by the inhalation route with LC50 values in all cases exceeding the doses which would warrant classification under Dir 1999/45/EC or GHS/CLP.